The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-16
THE PUMP SNAKE.
Dakotans Discover Reptile They
Can Train and Use to Advantage.

Dakotans Discover Reptile They
Can Train and Use to Advantage.
A dispatch from Mount Vernon, Oak,
to the Chicago Tribune says: In Central
Dakota, on the missouri bottoms, there
exists one of natures strangest freaks. The
settlers term it the pump snake" How it
came there and where it came from is yet
unknown. II first made its appearance in
Emmons county in the spring of
1856. a full grown pump snake measures
about sixteen feet in length and about
three inches in diameter. They
are of gregarious habits, roaming the prai
ries in large herds, as many as 300 having
been counted i'll a single flock. In dissect-
ing one of these reptiles there is found
tube which extends from the roof OF the
jaw to the extremity of the tail and terIni
mating in an opening This tube is about
two inches in diameter and lined with q
tough, yielding substance similar to rubber.
The pump snake is easily trained to answer
to the call of man. The inhabitants in this
section trap them in large numbers.
A farmer on Cat Tail creek has flock of
twenty pump-snakes trained to a remark
able degree OF proficiency. At the blast of
a whistle the snakes assemble on the banks
of the creek The leader there is always a
leader to u herd of these snakes, who is
into the water Of the creek. leav-
ing only the cYtremities Of its tail
on the bank. Another snake imme-
diately grasps the end of the LEADERS,
tail in his jaws, third snake takes hold OF
the second snakes tail in similar manner,
and so on until there is continuous line of
snakes Joined end-on, extending TO the water
troughs in the cattle yards, 800 feet away.
The leading snake commences to swallow or
pump the waters Of the creek, which passes
through the long line of snakes rs it would
through hose, and falls in heavy stream
into the trough.
This agricultnrist told of an extraordinary
circumstance which occurred short time
ago. Willie working i'm the field near his
home he observed flames issuing from the
roof of his barn. Wild with excitement
he hurried to tic burning building only 10
see that it was a hopeless task for himself
alone TO attempt TO extjnguish the flames.
In despair he gael on the work of de
strucbion; suddenly hn heard a loud rust
ling III the tall grass, whence issued his
herd of pump-Sllalles on tho run. The
leader hurled himself into the creek,
the rest instantly adjusting them
selves, heads and tails from the creek
20 the burning building. The last
snake, standing on its head, waved its
long and flexible body, from tile tail end OF
which Issued q stream of water that was
thrown with terrific force OF the burning
building Back aud forth dashed The tall
end or that living hose, squirting the water
where IL would 80 the most good, while the
loud pumping os The leader could be heard
above the roar of tine conilagration. With
In fifteen minutes the last spark was out.
Then, and not until then, did the pump.
snakes quit work They we're completely
exhausted the leader having tainted away
The moin part Of the building and its con
tents were saved, thanks 10 the presence ~
mind Of these wonderful snakes.
The Territorial government IL becoming
awakened TO the extreme usefulness of these
interesting creatures, and laws are 10 be
enacted TO protect the pump snake.